The New Family Podcast

The New Family Podcast is the show that explores what families really look like today and the issues that matter to us most. Twice a week we interview some of the most compelling people whose stories represent the many forms family can take today. And we chat with top parenting experts with great insights on the challenges of raising kids in these interesting times. This podcast comes from the creators of the popular website, thenewfamily.com, which explores and celebrates modern family life. Our series, the 1,000 Families Project, tells the first-person stories of people with families of every shape and size. In this show we interview some of the most interesting people who contribute to the #1000families series, as well as authors, family therapists, parent educators and other experts with practical advice to share that's relevant to families of every kind.

We’re joined for this episode by writers Melissa DePino and Elizabeth LaBan. Melissa and Elizabeth have a lovely story to tell that’s so in keeping with the theme of this website and podcast and its mission to celebrate the many ways that family can form. For years Elizabeth and Melissa were next door neighbors who truly became family to one another, sharing the parenting experience from when their children were small, a shared family that continues today. In fact, they’ve co-authored a novel inspired by their story called Pretty Little World. They tell us about how their organic extended family has come to be, and what we can all learn from their story about being open to a connection in creating our own chosen families.

I’m very pleased to be joined by my friend Jody Robbins, a travel writer based in Calgary, Alberta. Jody is the author of a new book called 25 Places in Canada Every Family Should Visit. Today Jody and I are going to talk about what it takes to have a family vacation that’s actually enjoyable for everyone in the family, and not just a heck of a lot of work for the parents.

I’m joined on the show today by a woman with a remarkable story. Elizabeth Rains, a mother of two and acclaimed Canadian journalist, was overcome with confusion when she was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. She was immediately confronted with the fact that Hepatitis C is still often-stigmatized as well as perceived as a death sentence, even though it is now 90 per cent curable. Elizabeth has written a new book about her own journey and the history of the disease, called Demon in my Blood: My Fight with Hep C — And a Miracle Cure.

With Mother’s Day just around the corner at the time this episode goes live, we’ve got a special edition of the podcast reflecting on experience of mothering in 2017. I’m joined by my friend and colleague, Beth-Anne Jones, who also writes about parenting and other lifestyle topics on Plenty the Magazine, the lifestyle site she runs with two other moms.

Photographer Kate T. Parker joins us on the show today. Kate is the author of a gorgeous and compelling new photo book called Strong is The New Pretty: A Celebration of Girls Being Themselves. Kate is the mother of two loud, messy, adventurous girls, and in 2015 her Strong is the New Pretty photo series went viral, having clearly struck a chord both for the beautiful, raw images and the positive messages behind them. She’s here to share what inspires her to help change the conversation about what girls are supposed to be and how they’re supposed to look.